Litter Box Blues

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, use this checklist as a guide.

1. MEDICAL: A complete medical evaluation is needed to rule out a serious health problem. Problems such as urinary tract blockages, diabetes, or renal failure need to be ruled out first.

2. BOX LOCATION: Make sure the box is in a quiet, private and convenient place. High traffic areas such as a noisy laundry room or a crowded corner may be displeasing or scary for your cat. If you have two or more floor levels, a box is needed on each level.

3. DIRTY BOX: Cats like clean litter boxes! DAILY cleanings are a must for both your sense of smell as well as your cats.

4. CHOICE OF LITTER: Switching the brand or scent of litter used is enough to cause some cats to not use their box.

5. BOX SIZE: Does the size of your litter box match your cat? Big cats need plenty of space to turn around and dig, and need bigger boxes than a kitten or small cat. Some cats don’t like the covered lids and feel trapped.

6. LITTER BOX COUNT: The more cats you have the more boxes you need. Ideally, each cat needs a box of it’s own. Depending on your cat’s behavior and usage style, some cats will share. Experiment and see what works best for your household of felines

7. MOVING LOCATIONS: If it becomes necessary to move the location of the cat’s litter box, make sure the cat knows you moved the box. Keep in mind a quiet, private area is best. Just moving the box from an interior wall to an exterior wall can be upsetting to some cats.